Vietnam is preparing to open its first international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City on December 12, with authorities saying the city has the infrastructure, talent pipeline and investor interest required to begin operations. The Vietnam international financial centre will initially house its executive and supervisory bodies at the city’s Startup & Innovation Hub before relocating to a renovated office on Nguyen Hue Street and later to a permanent base in the Thu Thiem u

Hong Kong business confidence has risen sharply, with about half of companies operating in the city optimistic about economic prospects next year, up from just 18% a year earlier, according to preliminary findings from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. Chamber chair Agnes Chan said a record number of local and international firms set up operations in Hong Kong this year, helping support momentum and drive 3.8% GDP growth in the third quarter. Hong Kong also topped th

Southeast Asia has emerged as a beneficiary of the US–China trade rift, with exports to the United States growing faster than China’s, according to analysis by the Lowy Institute. Shipments from the 11-member ASEAN bloc to the US rose 23% in September from a year earlier, led by Thailand and Vietnam, while China’s share of the American market declined. The divergence reflects steep US tariffs on Chinese goods, averaging 31%, compared with roughly 11% for many Southeast Asian

The Asian Development Bank has lowered its growth outlook for the Philippines but still expects the country to be Southeast Asia’s second-fastest major economy. The ADB now projects GDP growth of 5% this year and 5.3% in 2026, both below government targets, after a weaker-than-expected 4% expansion in the third quarter and a 10.7% drop in January–September public works spending. The bank cited weak and corruption-hit infrastructure outlays and natural hazards as key drags. Ho

Hong Kong’s ageing population is straining public healthcare while opening new business opportunities for insurers and banks, officials and executives said at the Asian Insurance Forum on Monday. Insurance Authority chairman Stephen Yiu said the Hong Kong ageing population is driving demand for health insurance, annuities and retirement solutions as demographic pressures intensify. The government projects about 2.4m elderly residents by mid-2036, representing roughly one-thir

Japan’s economy shrank faster than first reported in the July–September quarter, revised Cabinet Office data showed, highlighting the impact of weaker business spending despite a modest rise in consumption. Under the Japan Q3 GDP revision, real gross domestic product fell at an annualised 2.3%, compared with an initial estimate of 1.8% and a median forecast of 2.0%, marking the largest contraction since the third quarter of 2023. GDP declined 0.6% quarter on quarter, versus 0

South Korea’s finance ministry is stepping up oversight as Korea won weakness persists near levels last seen during the 2009 financial crisis, setting up a task force with exporters, securities firms and regulators, officials said. Operating under the international finance bureau, the group will monitor exporters’ currency-conversion behaviour and consider incentives for companies that convert foreign-currency earnings back into won. The won has remained below 1,450 per dolla

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission is accelerating capital market reforms to ease long-standing liquidity constraints and close gaps with ASEAN peers in market depth and product diversity, SEC chairman Francisco Ed. Lim said at a business forum. The regulator has tightened service standards, shortened decision timelines and introduced a deemed-approved mechanism for filings that go unanswered beyond prescribed periods, alongside a standard 45-day review window

Asia remains under-invested despite strong fundamentals and attractive valuations, according to DBS’ chief investment office. Senior strategist Daryl Ho said lingering caution after years of weak performance has kept investors on the sidelines even as opportunities strengthen across dividend and growth assets. Dividend yields in Singapore and China hover around 5%–6%, while technology earnings in Asia excluding Japan are forecast to grow in the mid-20% range in FY2026. Ho not

Foreign investors remain confident about expanding in Thailand despite political uncertainty surrounding Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government and the possibility of an early-2026 parliamentary dissolution ahead of elections, the Board of Investment said. The BoI said Thailand’s legal framework and investment-promotion policies would remain in place, with investment demand focused on electric vehicles, advanced electronics, data centres, printed circuit boards and a

Nearly 80% of Chinese mainland companies are using Hong Kong as a base for overseas expansion, Deloitte China said, highlighting the city’s role as a gateway for outbound growth. The findings were released alongside a new “going global” handbook and the launch of a dedicated task force in Hong Kong to support mainland firms expanding overseas. Deloitte noted that mainland firms use Hong Kong not only for financing needs but also for international management, governance and pa

Vietnam’s investment banks are expanding hiring in anticipation of a major Vietnam IPO wave after FTSE Russell confirmed in October it will upgrade Vietnam to secondary emerging-market status effective 21 September 2026, pending a March 2026 review. VnDirect plans to lift investment-banking headcount 20%–30% over the next 12–18 months, while Vietcap may increase staffing by up to 40% next year. Dragon Capital forecasts more than USD40bn in IPO proceeds during 2026–2028, a sha

China is expected to maintain a China 2026 growth target of around 5%, according to government advisers and analysts, a goal requiring continued fiscal and monetary support as authorities attempt to counter deflation pressures and a prolonged property slump. Most advisers surveyed by Reuters favoured a 5% target, though some suggested a 4.5%–5.0% range. The target is likely to be endorsed at the Central Economic Work Conference later this month, ahead of confirmation at the a

Standard Chartered has lifted its China 2026 GDP forecast to 4.6% from 4.3%, citing resilient exports and ongoing productivity improvements, according to a research note dated 1 December. The bank said China’s export competitiveness has strengthened following easing trade tensions with the US after both sides reached a truce. It added that better total factor productivity should further support the China 2026 GDP forecast, with the government expected to set a growth target b

Southeast Asia family conglomerates remain central to the region’s economic landscape, particularly in Indonesia and the Philippines, but must adapt as returns weaken, Singapore’s Business Times reported, citing academics and advisers. Experts highlighted three urgent priorities: expanding into growth sectors, introducing professional leadership, and strengthening early succession planning. An EY-Parthenon analysis of 36 listed regional conglomerates showed that average annua

Analysts expect the Malaysia banking sector to maintain resilient earnings following the latest reporting season, although net interest margins declined sequentially for most lenders and may remain under pressure into the first half of fiscal 2026. Kenanga Research said system loans rose 5.4% year-on-year in October, aligning with its 2025 target of around 5.5%, while deposits grew 3.7% as customers shifted to shorter-tenure fixed deposits ahead of festive-season liquidity ne

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan met representatives from Hong Kong family offices across Europe, the Middle East and Asia in London this week, intensifying efforts to draw private wealth and fintech firms to the city. The discussions highlighted how Hong Kong family offices remain central to Hong Kong’s global outreach strategy. UK-based digital bank Revolut is among the companies preparing to establish operations in the city after meeting Chan, according to people fa

Malaysia’s fund management industry recorded MYR1.15tr (USD219.46bn) in assets under management at end-September, up from MYR1.07tr at end-2024, regulatory data showed. The increase was driven by a broad global equity rally. Equity funds climbed 11.3% to MYR566.84bn, while bond funds rose 5.7% to MYR261.62bn. Money market funds grew 2% to MYR147.1bn, and private equity funds increased 3% to MYR18.44bn. The performance came as major markets strengthened, with the Dow Jones Ind

HKIFA investment flows are expected to shift toward equity, bond and mixed-asset funds next year as expectations of rate cuts lift risk appetite and cash leaves maturing high-interest deposits. The Hong Kong Investment Funds Association reported strong momentum, noting Hong Kong retail fund sales rose 35% year on year in the first three quarters to USD82.6bn, surpassing 2024’s full-year total. Net inflows hit a 10-year high at USD15.7bn. Equity funds posted USD16.8bn in sales

The HKMA local-currency payments initiative is gaining traction as Hong Kong seeks to expand regional use of local currencies in trade and financing to mitigate geopolitical risk. HKMA CEO Eddie Yue said tariff shocks, supply-chain disruptions and volatile markets highlight the urgency of deeper integration across Asia-Pacific. He urged expanded payments connectivity, broader local-currency settlement, stronger regional bond markets and better hedging tools to reinforce the H